motor

/ˈmoʊdər/

/ˈmʌʊtə/

Other forms: motors; motoring; motored; motorized

A motor runs your car, whizzes the blender and gets your golf cart going: it's simply a machine that converts energy into motion.

Coming to us from a Latin word that means "to move," motor is certainly connected to the world of motion. Without the innovation of Ford motors, most of America wouldn't be able to get anywhere today. These days the motor is undergoing some serious revisions, as engineers look for a way to power things with less gasoline and more sunshine.

Definitions of motor

1. noun

   machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
   types:

   electric motor

   a motor that converts electricity to mechanical work

   engine

   motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

   stepper, stepping motor

   a motor (especially an electric motor) that moves or rotates in small discrete steps

   aircraft engine

   the engine that powers and aircraft

   automobile engine

   the engine that propels an automobile

   auxiliary engine, donkey engine

   (nautical) a small engine (as one used on board ships to operate a windlass)

   generator

   engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction

   heat engine

   any engine that makes use of heat to do work

   reaction engine, reaction-propulsion engine

   a jet or rocket engine based on a form of aerodynamic propulsion in which the vehicle emits a high-speed stream

   starter, starter motor, starting motor

   an electric motor for starting an engine

   synchronous motor

   electric motor in which the speed of rotation is proportional to the frequency of the A.C. power

   wiper motor

   electric motor that moves the windshield wiper

   type of:

   machine

   any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
2. noun

   a nonspecific agent that imparts motion
   “happiness is the aim of all men and the motor of all action”

   type of:

   agent

   an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect
3. adjective

   causing or able to cause motion
   “motor energy”

   synonyms: motive

   causative

   producing an effect
4. adjective

   conveying information to the muscles from the CNS
   “motor nerves”

   synonyms: centrifugal

   efferent, motorial

   of nerves and nerve impulses; conveying information away from the CNS
5. verb

   travel or be transported in a vehicle
   “They motored to London for the theater”

   synonyms: drive

   drive, take

   proceed along in a vehicle

   type of:

   go, locomote, move, travel

   change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically